Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
December 19, 2022
Read Ephesians 1:3-10
3 Bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing that comes from heaven. 4 God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. 5 God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan 6 and to honor his glorious grace that he has given to us freely through the Son whom he loves. 7 We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, 8 which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding. 9 God revealed his hidden design to us, which is according to his goodwill and the plan that he intended to accomplish through his Son. 10 This is what God planned for the climax of all times: to bring all things together in Christ, the things in heaven along with the things on earth.
Good Morning, Through God’s grace we are forgiven!
Advent is a wonderful time to practice forgiveness. There are too many people in this world who are mad at one another. It breaks my heart when I hear stories of family members who haven’t spoken in years. God created us and blessed us with brains so that we might think and hearts so that we might love. Somehow we need to maintain a healthy balance between our thoughts and our emotions.
When people become angry with one another, it is easy to fixate on the anger. After a time, the heart becomes cold like a stone. Somehow the brain manages to justify this existence and those involved drift apart. Each person in our lives is precious and each day is a gift from God. Take the time and make the effort to reach out and forgive someone.
Christ was sent to us so that we can all come together. We are called to share the love and grace that we have been given with all that we meet. The more we share the love, the more it grows until all are enveloped in the love of Christ. To whom shall you give the precious gift of forgiveness?
When we submit ourselves to God and ask for forgiveness, we are released from our sins and mistakes. Share God’s love with everyone during this season of love!
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Help us! We want to follow you, but we struggle with forgiving those who wronged us. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Thanks to the grace of Christ, my mistakes do not define me.
Forgive one another! Pastor Liz